People in the News for August 1, 1997

Friday, Aug. 1, 1997 | 11:38 a.m.

It seems Eddie Murphy really is a nice guy. That's all he claimed he was trying to be when he picked up transsexual prostitute Atisone Seiuli in the wee morning hours last May in Los Angeles. Now the actor has offered the National Enquirer a polite gesture, by dropping his $5 million lawsuit against the tabloid, saying it didn't maliciously publish a story about his predawn encounter. "Eddie Murphy's Secret Sex Life -- His Transvestite Hooker Tells All" was featured in the Enquirer's May 20 issue and detailed his alleged encounters with two ladies, er, gentlemen of the night. And if dropping the suit weren't enough, the 36-year-old "Beverly Hills Cop" star is paying the magazine's legal costs. "We're quite pleased," Editor Steve Coz told the Associated Press. "The Enquirer believed in its story from the beginning. It's very nice to be getting a check from Eddie Murphy." He also settled a libel suit out of court against the Globe for printing a similar story on the same day. Aw shucks, it was nothing!

Wild Bill

Is the Piano Man going country? Could be. Billy Joel will be one of Garth Brooks' surprise guests at the country crooner's free concert in New York's Central Park on Aug. 7. HBO is sponsoring the show that is expected to draw hundreds of thousands. Joel's representative had no comment on the upcoming event, while Brooks' people would only tell USA Today that two "special guests" will join Brooks for a few songs. In any case, the timing couldn't be better: Joel is releasing what he vows will be his last pop album on Aug. 19. The New Yorker claims he will start concentrating on writing classical music instead. Does he mean classic country? Stay tuned ...

Here's licking at you

The scene on Hollywood Boulevard Thursday looked more like a star-studded movie premiere than the release of a postage stamp. About 3,000 people lined up to witness the unveiling of the 32-cent Humphrey Bogart stamp, the latest Tinseltown star being honored by the U.S. Postal Service. The Legends of Hollywood series also includes Marilyn Monroe and James Dean. Bogart, best known for his portrayal of bar owner Rick Blaine in "Casablanca," died in 1957 at age 58. Actress Angelica Huston as well as Bogie's widow, Lauren Bacall, were on hand for the unveiling. The stamps are available at post offices starting today. Postmaster General Marvin Runyon said: "Well, as Rick Blaine put it so eloquently, 'I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."

Compiled by Lisa Ferguson